State Governor Babangida Aliyu and the former state governorship
candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Umar Gado Nasko.
The judge, who was visibly angry over the absence of ex-Governor Aliyu
and Nasko in court despite the issuance of hearing notice, also ordered
bench warrant against the duo for disrespect to court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting
Babangida Aliyu and Nasko, following their alleged involvement in about
N2billion money laundering and other financial crimes.
The accused persons were formerly arraigned before Justice Bogoro Yelin
where they pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence.
But Justice Yelin has been transferred to another jurisdiction while he
is presently part of judges handling disputes at the Elections Petitions
Tribunals.
The matter was later assigned to Justice Aliyu who is handling the
matter de novo (afresh) while the hearing notices were issued to the
parties over the fresh arraignment of Babangida Aliyu and Nasko.
When the matter came up today, none of the accused persons was present
in court just as their lawyers were absent.
Lawyer to one of the accused persons, Mr Osuman Mamma (SAN) was said to
have written to the court that he was before an election petitions
tribunal.
But the senior advocate reportedly refused to send a lawyer to represent
him in court.
The development prompted the judge to revoke the bail granted to the
defendants and later ordered the warrant of arrest against the accused
persons.
The judge consequently adjourned the case till Monday, May 27, 2019.